Skitch Henderson

Skitch Henderson was a celebrated American pianist, conductor, and arranger best known for his work on radio and television during the mid-20th century. He was NBC’s first music director and a familiar presence as the bandleader on The Tonight Show during its early years, working with hosts like Steve Allen and Johnny Carson. With a knack for bridging classical music with popular sensibilities, Henderson brought orchestral flair to mainstream audiences.

In 1983, he founded The New York Pops, a professional symphonic pops orchestra, which became known for its dynamic performances of American popular standards and Broadway classics. Throughout his career, Henderson collaborated with a wide range of artists across genres and helped introduce a new generation to the excitement of orchestral music, often through recordings and broadcasts that made the world of classical and popular music more accessible and entertaining.

Genres

Opera

Big Band

Related Artists

Henry Mancini

Hans Zimmer

John Williams

Michael Giacchino

Leonard Bernstein

Danny Elfman

James Horner

André Previn

Ray Conniff

Quincy Jones

Bill Conti

Boston Pops Orchestra

Latest Release

Pop Goes the Concert

Skitch Henderson

Album - 13 Tracks - Released April 25, 2025